When the ghost appears for the first time in act 1 scene 1, notice that Horatio addresses it as ' thou '. This was the form of address used with friends or inferiors. Shakespeare's audience would have been much more attuned to the differences than we are. What do you think the effect of Horatio's addressing the ghost as 'thou'?

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replied to: resheetha

Zarabeth

Replied to: When the ghost appears for the first time in act 1...

Maybe he wanted to see if the ghost saw him in a friendly way? Or maybe even to see if Hamlet Sr. would recognize him as a friend from when he was alive...Either way it seems a bit dangerous. What if the ghost took offense?

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replied to: resheetha

meerocks

Replied to: When the ghost appears for the first time in act 1...

The ghost could be the devil himself if not Hamlet Sr. Therefore, by addressing the ghost as "Thou" Horatio is establishing that no ghost/devil will scare him away.

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replied to: meerocks

resheetha

Replied to: The ghost could be the devil himself if not Hamlet Sr....

Can we say that he addresses it as such as he have now already confirming the ghost as the hamlet Snr as he sees it wearing an Armour looking just like the late king....and that thou was used in order to pay respect to the king as horatio was inferior to the king when he was alive...he respected the man and gave even the ghost the same amount of respect?